Millennium Development Authority denies leading campaign to privatize ECG

The Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) says assertions in the media that it is in league with government to privatize ECG is untrue.

MiDA said this in a press statement it has issued to respond to media publications about the Ghana Compact II.

The five-year Ghana Compact II is aimed at creating a financially viable power sector that will meet the current and future needs of households and businesses—and ultimately help fight poverty across the country.

The MiDA compact will play a critical role in Power Africa, the U.S. Government’s initiative to double access to power on the African continent. It is the largest U.S. Government transaction to date under Power Africa and will serve as an anchor for increased American engagement in Ghana.

“Indeed the publications and some of the media discussions contain a number of inaccuracies and untruths, which MiDA will fully respond to shortly”, the MiDA statement said.

The Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) has noted with concern recent publications in the media regarding the Ghana Compact II Agreement between the Republic of Ghana and the Millennium Challenge Corporation. One of the key concerns relates to a statement, which asserts that the Government of Ghana and MiDA are leading a campaign to privatize ECG under the Compact II Agreement with the Millennium Challenge Corporation. This assertion is untrue as a Concession arrangement is not privatization.

Indeed the publications and some of the media discussions contain a number of inaccuracies and untruths, which MiDA will fully respond to shortly.

MiDA had previously written to the leadership of Public Utility Workers’ Union (PUWU) requesting for a meeting so as to address any queries or concerns staff may have on the matter. MiDA will pursue this meeting and assuage the fears of staff.

MiDA has been mandated by the Government of Ghana to implement Ghana Compact 2, which seeks to address the root causes of the current problem of unreliable power supply in the country. These challenges in the power sector have caused severe hardship to many Ghanaians, impeding our national development agenda.

MiDA will continue to engage with all stakeholders in the delivery of its mandate to address the power supply issues in Ghana and looks forward to clarifying any issues concerning the Compact.